Resignationism: Now “Abp.” Georg Ganswein Weighs In

Resignationism Continued…

Now “Abp.” Ganswein Weighs In:
Benedict’s Emeritus Status “Corresponds to Reality”

“Archbishop” Georg Ganswein, Secretary to Benedict XVI

Italian journalist and author Antonio Socci is back with more on the neverending drama surrounding what we have termed the Resignationist thesis, the idea that the resignation of Benedict XVI (Joseph Ratzinger) was invalid and he is therefore still the legitimate Pope of the Catholic Church, Francis being an impostor. (For those who don’t know, the position of Novus Ordo Watch is that all “Popes” after Pius XII have been impostors. More on that here.)

In his latest contribution, published March 2, 2014 for the Italian El Libero, Socci reveals the “serious answer” Benedict XVI’s private secretary, “Abp.” Georg Gänswein, has given to the question why Benedict sticks with the title “Pope Emeritus” (as opposed to reverting simply to “Cardinal Ratzinger”, as would have been expected) and still retains various papal insignia, such as his papal coat of arms, the continued wearing of the white cassock and zucchetto, etc. This “serious” answer is contrasted with the clearly less-than-serious answer allegedly given by Benedict himself to journalist Andrea Tornielli, that, with regard to the wearing of the white cassock, “there were no other clothes available” (see story here).

Ganswein’s take on the whole matter is quite simply that the “Pope Emeritus” title of Joseph Ratzinger simply “corresponds to reality”, adding that Benedict has not regretted choosing it.

Socci then quotes Benedict’s words from his last General Audience before his retirement, which are perhaps a bit more mystifying now than they were when uttered last year:

Addressing Socci’s concern that there could be a risk of “having a Pope and an Antipope” in the Vatican, Ganswein responds: “Not at all. There is a reigning Pope and a Pope Emeritus…. [Benedict] has never interfered and does not interfere in the government of the Church; that is not his style.”

Towards the end of his article, Socci gives various little indicators which, so he thinks, suggest that the letter Tornielli allegedly received from Benedict may not be authentic.

At this point there is no full English translation yet of the Socci article, but here is the link to the original:

• Antonio Socci: “Ecco la Risposta Seria di Ratzinger (Tramite Don Georg)”

This situation with two antipopes in the Vatican, one claiming to be “inactive”, the other “active”, cannot help but remind us of a passage in the Apocalypse regarding a beast with two horns:

While we don’t pretend to be exegetes of obscure scriptural passages, we’d just like to offer the opinion that perhaps the second beast is the Ratzinger-Bergoglio entity, whereas the “former beast” is John Paul II, Ratzinger’s immediate predecessor, whose “wound to death was healed” (remember the assassination attempt in 1981?). With the impending “canonization” of the wicked John Paul II as a supposed “Saint”, who was “beatified” by Benedict XVI (May 1, 2011), Bergoglio (Francis) may now be trying to “cause the earth … to adore the first beast”.

Just a thought.

Be that as it may, it is clear this whole thing is a complete mess. But we are convinced it serves only one purpose: to draw those trying to be good and faithful Catholics in the Novus Ordo Sect into more confusion and give them a new “way out” of Francis if they cannot stomach his full-throttled apostasy: dump Franics, but believe Benedict XVI is still Pope. Anything, anything at all, to keep you from drawing the only sound conclusion today: The Chair of St. Peter is vacant. Sede Vacante!

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